Comic-Con 2012

Hey Guys!

So this past weekend was The Aquabats! Comic-Con Super Show! and I was there. But first, let's start with the morning.
At 5:30 in the morning I see that I got an email the day before letting me that I won two tickets to the concert from a contest on the House of Blues facebook page. ( I eventually found people to sell the tickets to, which is what Ricky told me to do when I talked to him.)
I left LA around 6:00 and made it to San Diego around 8:00. First thing we did was go to The Broken Yoke Cafe, Which was The Hub Headquarters.

There were themed tables, themed about the different HUB shows. and all the condiments and soap had Gloopy product labels. All of which were designed by the talented Tyler Jacobs.

Throughout the day we just walked around and lot's of people wanted pictures with us. We met some cool Aquabats CosPlayers too.

Later that day Someone told us that the 'Bats were eating lunch at the Broken Yoke, So we sprinted there... They were there. 

While people were getting pictures with the 'Bats, I got a picture with The Fox.

Then there was the concert... It was fantastic.

Sorry I'm not that good at words right now. I'm tired, but wanted to get this episode up.

-Awesome Lad

The Mighty Dagger of Todd

Hey Guys!

So I was watching The Aquabats! Super Show! and I decided that I wanted my own Mighty Dagger of Todd. About a week later I got a new couch that was covered in cardboard. I knew it was meant to be.

The first thing I did was gather some reference photos. Here's what I got:

One of the hardest Parts about this build, was figuring out whate size to make it. It seems to change size in almost every frame. ( I justify this by remembering that it's a magic sword.)

The Size I decided to go with was the more sword-like dagger:

First I scaled it in photoshop and printed it out on multiple pieces of paper. Then I cut out a blade out of cardboard, and then cut out the parts for the handle and put them around the blade (I don't have any pictures of this part, sorry) I used hot glue for this part.

For the Slanted part of the blade, I first tried doing it in hot glue and that failed miserably. Then I got the idea to use the bottom of a FedEx Pak. That way I knew I had a straight fold. I first put a trail of hot glue down the length of the blade, to hold up the center. I then Glued it onto the blade and trimmed it. If i had thought ahead, I could of made the cardboard blade thinner and used the Pak to create a "cutting edge" on the sides of the blade. I then taped the seam on the edge.  

I then used hot glue to fill in the handle.

I then Stared bondo-ing the blade; but I was lazy and hot, so I only did one side (and sanded it quite poorly). For the handle, I decided to go lazy and tape it.

For the eyes, I cut out the shape on some cardstock and then used hot glue to give it the 3D shape. Then glued them in place.

After this, I covered the handle in Elmers white glue and let it dry. This didn't hide the texture of the tape, but made it less evident, and less likely to come undone.

I then, for some reason, painted the entire thing in brown tempera paint, then black. Then I spray painted the handle grey. Then Taped the handle off and sprayed the Blade Silver.

I then taped off the Handle where I wanted the lines and used a paint pen to fill this in. I taped around the eyes and spared them red. Don't forget the nose thing! (the color difference is just the lighting)

I also made a wall mount for it.

____________________________________________

So that's a rough walkthrough of how I made my Mighty Dagger of Todd. I kind of just figured it out as I went. 

This build was 100% free; I only used supplies and tools I had. When I get a steady job and can afford to, I want to revisit this build and make it better quality and make resin casts of it (maybe even ones that can glow).

Stay Rad,

-Awesome Lad

TA!SS! Power Belt Reference

Hey Guys!

I'm currently working on about 10 Power belts rights now, one of them a Super Show belt, I thought I'd share with you some of my research.


The belts that they used for the Super Show are very interesting. They're much more complicated and detailed than they used to be.

Some information about the new belts:

• All of the colors on the belt are different layers of vinyl, cut and sewn together.
• There and three different variations of the belt, two used in Ep. 1, and the other used in the rest.
• There are actually three squares on each side, unlike the two on the design from the '90s.
• Each of the squares has a "Utility" (guitar pick, pocket, etc.)
• The belts were made to custom lengths to fit the various girths of the different 'bats.
• Eaglebones' pick holder is on his left, due to his left-handedness.
• The pockets are 100% real fake pockets.
• The reason they changed belts was that they didn't like the material of the first one.

Here are some reference pictures:
Belt used throughout most of Ep. 1, Ep. 4, Ep. 10(the teddy bear's belt)

Belt used for parts of Ep. 1, Ep. 5 and "action shots"

Belt used throughout rest of series

A drawing of the Pocket layout (the empty square should be a "pocket" as well. The UU is just two little flaps, and the vertical lines are a bar of black vinyl on top.)

I'll add more as I get it, and I'll post about my belts when I'm done.
Talk to you guys soon.

-Awesome Lad

GOGO13 "I Like It" Review

Hey guys!
GOGO13 came out with their first album "I Like It" last week.

So I just bought the album and have listened to it once through.
Now I'm going to listen to it through again and type out what I think of it as I listen to it. Unedited.
(For those new to GOGO13, when I comment on something that's new it's because allthough this is their first album, they've had many demos in the past)

I Like It
It's weird for me to hear this as the first song, because it's always their last song they play.
Ooo. Farfisa. I don't think I spelled that right...
It seems to be a bunch of random references. I like it.
Ok... Here's the break down.
This is definitely a fun way to open the album.
"I like turtles" haha!
This song is quite long... I'm not complaining though.
It definitely feels as lyrically planned as it does live, which is not much. Haha
This is definitely one of my favorite songs of theirs.
"the song is over"

Big Red Cup
Wasn't expecting the keys sound at first.
I like that there's uke in this, mostly because I associate this song with uke.
It almost sounds like a reworked version of the old recording... Like the vocals sound exactly the same.
The "Go Me" part is new. And quite funny.
All these different horns
Wait. That vocal part was a new fluctuation.
Chachacha. Olay!

¡es Ploded!
I wonder why the "e" is not capitalized.
So far seems mostly the same.
Maybe just mixed a little differently?...
It feels like it might be a little quicker.. Like only by a few tempo points.. Or whatever you call the units of a tempo.
That guitar riff was different.
Now we're in the breakdown. This part sounds exactly the same vocally.
The echo is new.
This is still one of my favorite songs of theirs. And they almost always skip it live. Haha

Monster
So far this sounds exactly the same..
This is a fun song.
Daddy are you all right?
Yeah... I'm pretty sure this is the same recording. Not complaining though, it's a good recording.

Free Agent
This version is definitely faster. I like both speeds.. Not sure which one I like more...
I might be leaning more towards the older. But I still like this one.
Short song.

House Ape
The sax and keys played the same thing there... Don't care for that.
Haha. Paul frank wallet joke that was relevant at the time of writing. Haha
I like the melodicness of the chorus echo.
Butterfinger?
I like how they kept the music breakdown here from their live version. A message to you house ape.
They kept a few of the songs. Nice.
Any version of this song is my favorite of theirs, and this version is no exception.

Humble Pie
Oo they added a violin intro. Nice.
Stylistically this is one of their weirdest songs. But quite fun live.
I definitely like it with the violin.
They should have opened with this just to confuse people. Haha

Down In a Barrel
New intro. I like it.
Not sure if it's a new recording, but it's a new mix at least.
The keys riff seems new...
The first time they played this live the played kazoos. They didn't mic them right though.

Abinadi
This is the first song on the album that I've heard no version of.
Feels kind of old school reggae
Creepy.....
I don't have anything to say...
It's a nice listen.

Cereal
Sounds Like the same recording do far.
This song reminds me of being covered in cereal.
I like this song.
Yeah, I think this is completely the same recording.

Always Was Sometimes
So, this song sounds like it was a Sandfleas song.
The style of music. The recording. The fact that it's the same singer singing the same way. And it lyrically seems like a song they would write. I'm partially convinced this was a Sandfleas song...

Pick It Up
So this is a completely new recording.
I like the extension of what these kids need to pick up.
Good song

Curly Locks
They're really just ignoring the genre they set for themselves. Haha
Does this mean they have their keys player back?
This one feels like a song Pixie Doolittle would dance to.
Every album needs a love song.

I Don't Wanna
I like this one.
It calm but still fun.
I can't think of anything to say. Just listen.

El Comienzo
I wonder why they shortened the name of this song..
This song makes me feel good. Like relaxed and happy.
Good song to end it on.
____________

So that's the album. Overall I enjoyed it.
I think it would have been funny if they called the album "greatest hits" since most of the songs are songs we all know and love, and it's their first album. Haha
I'm curious if the songs they changed are going to change in their live performances as well (they haven't so far).

-Awesome Lad

Uniform Upkeep

Anti-Negativity Helmets
When your helmet comes in the mail, chances are it will have some creases*. No need to worry though! Due to the material that the helmet is made of (Neoprene Rubber) these creases are not permanent. All you need to do is put it on a foam head or anything it can rest on, and in a day or two, it will be good as new.
As far as storage, you can keep it on a foam head, but if you don't have one it's perfectly fine to just lay them anywhere. As long as there's nothing on top of them, they should be fine. That's what I do.

*These creases are due to the method of shipping. While shipping it in a box would prevent the creases, it be nowhere near cost effective, which is why they are sent in envelopes.

Goggles/Mask

The goggles are made out of the same material as the helmets, so if there's a crease, it will come out.

For storage, try to avoid putting it on a mannequin or anything else that will keep the elastic taut. The reason is that when elastic is kept taut, it loses it's elasticity. I've found that just laying them out works fine. They don't crease as much or as easily as the helmets, so you don't need to as careful.

Rashguard

First, let's talk about washing them. There are a few methods out there, but here's the way I wash mine:

1. Flip the rashguard inside out
2. Fill up your sink and add about half an ounce of laundry detergent
   
3. Put the rashguard in the water
4. Work the rashguard in the water
5. Drain the water
6. Rinse
   
7. Ring out as much water as possible
8. Hang dry

To store mine I fold then and keep them in a box. But you could hang them too, I just don't have room to do that.

Power Belt
To store your power belts, all you really need to do is fold them. Or put them on a mannequin.



So, that's about it! Subscribe to my youtube to be informed when a new video is uploaded.
Next, I'll be making a power belt.

-Awesome Lad

IndieGoGo!!

Hey Guys!
In order to make Aquabats Obsessed as awesome a show as we all want it to be, I'm raising money for it. The money will be going towards better recording equipment, but more importantly it'll be going towards materials for tutorials. I'm raising the money through IndieGoGo, and with that there are perks when you donate. Depending on how much you donate, you'll get cool stuff ranging from wristguards to belts all the way up to being there during an interview. Please donate if you can, and tell your friends regardless. =]

IndieGoGo.com/AquabatsObsessed
Facebook.com/AquabatsObsessed

Thanks!!

-Awesome Lad

Update 3/5/12

Hey Guys,

So... I haven't been updating this blog as much as I'd like to. I don't have a computer, and I forgot that I have an app for this.
I'm hoping to have a lot more upcoming projects, due to the fact that if my assumption is correct, there will be a new fake commercial every week on The Aquabats! Super Show! with new fake products for me to replicate.
I'm also planning on starting a kickstarter to help raise money for the show. Hopefully that will start this month.
There's a ton of Aquabats updates from the past couple of months, so I should have plenty of stuff to update and stuff.
Yeah...
-Awesome Lad